Feb. 24, 2001

Box Score

BOCA RATON - Testing the hearts of its fans must be the theme of the Florida Atlantic University baseball team (9-5)and Bethune-Cookman College with a (3-10)second-consecutive victory in the final at bat in as many days, however, it took 11 inning for FAU to capture Saturday night's 5-4 win.

FAU scored two runs in the bottom of the first and held a 2-1 advantage through six innings. Bethune scored in the top of the seventh and two in the top of the eighth to force FAU into tying the game in the bottom of the eighth. The score remained knotted at four until Dean Devine, who drew a one out walk and moved to third on a single by Gabe Somarriba scored on a fielder's choice up the middle that brushed off the pitcher's glove.

Aaron Deihl relieved Danny Core in the top of the ninth. Core equaled his career high innings pitched of eight. The starter gave up four runs, three earned retired 10 on strikeouts, just one shy of a career high 11 and walked four. He was relieved by Aaron Diehl who pitched the final three innings, allowed four hits, walked two, struck out one, but most importantly, held the Wildcats scoreless.

Offensively, Mike Valdes was 2-for-4 and L.J. Biernbaum was 2-for-5. Jason Sullivan had two of the team's four RBIs.

Regan Samaniego's hit streak also ended 14, including the final game of the 2000 season.

The same two teams will conclude the scheduled three-game series, 2 pm, Sunday.